House gives notaries public bill its stamp of approval

Minnesotans could apply to become online notaries public and complete that work remotely.

In an effort to join a nationwide push to update the laws governing notaries, the House passed HF1609/SF893* Wednesday, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove) and Sen. Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud) on a 127-0 vote, sending it to the governor. The Senate passed the bill 63-0 on May 9.

The bill would be a massive overhaul of Chapter 358 in state statue, with a wide array of changes. Notably, however, the bill would create the so-called “Remote Online Notarization Act,” which would allow electronic documents with electronic signatures to be used when the law requires paper documents that are signed, including documents under oath.

The bill would make it a crime to obtain or damage the gear needed to create electronic signatures or stamps without authorization.

Nine other states, including Iowa and North Dakota, have passed the Revised Law on Notarial Acts and seven others are considering the legislation, according to the Uniform Law Commission.